(The Center Square) – A measure that could allow for the recall of countywide elected officials in Illinois outside of Cook County is advancing.
State Sen. Doris Turner, D-Springfield, said local voters wanted to recall the sheriff after the police-involved shooting of Sonya Massey in Springfield last year, but the Sangamon County Board sought clarity from legislators on whether it had that ability.
Sheriff Jack Campbell ended up retiring early due to public pressure. Turner still wants her Senate Bill 1954 passed.
“This legislation, when passed and signed by the governor, will provide counties and the county boards an opportunity to put this on the ballot for the 2026 election only, and then sets about a process by which you can move forward with recall of a countywide elected official,” Turner said.
Illinois Sheriffs Association Executive Director Jim Kaitschuk opposes the measure, saying it could lead to unnecessary conflict.
“We believe it gives too much power to groups to influence the process,” Kaitschuk said. “Nothing would stop someone from trying immediately after a contentious election to immediately file for a petition to recall and that puts people in a revolving, every two years, you’re going to be looking to run.”
A measure giving Illinois counties the powers to approve a recall provision for most countywide office holders if the voters approve is finding bipartisan opposition.
State Sen. Sue Rezin, R-Morris, also worried recall could be abused.
“Say the state’s attorney prosecutes someone, and it’s just not a popular case, but it is the right thing to do,” Rezin said.
State Sen. Laura Murphy, D-Des Plaines, said she doesn’t favor recall.
“The problem with recall is this negates a vote, the voters’ ability to elect elected officials, and then you are totally disenfranchising,” Murphy said.
Treasurers and the regional offices of school superintendents were excluded from the bill. Turner said there’s already a recall provision for treasurers and regional offices of school superintendents can cover multiple counties.
SB 1954 was approved out of the Senate Executive Committee Thursday and now heads to the full Senate for a vote. If approved, counties would have to approve such policies ahead of the 2026 election before the law would sunset.
